Green Synthesis of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for Dispersive Magnetic Solid-Phase Extraction of Erythrosine B Associated with Smartphone Detection in Food Samples

Abstract

Monitoring synthetic colorants in foods is important due to their potential toxicity and pathogenicity. We propose here a new and simple method for the extraction and determination of erythrosine B (ERT-B) in food samples. A composite of polydopamine-based molecularly imprinted polymers coating magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4@PDA@MIP) was synthesized using a green approach and exploited for the magnetic dispersive solid-phase extraction (MDSPE) of ERT-B. Fe3O4@PDA@MIP provides a rapid extraction of ERT-B, exhibiting good reusability and preconcentration ability. Moreover, the MIP showed a relatively good imprinting factor (3.0 ± 0.05), demonstrating excellent selectivity against patent blue (an interfering dye) and other food matrix components. The proposed MDSPE was coupled to colorimetric smartphone-based detection that allowed us to obtain similar performances of UV–Vis spectroscopy detection. The smartphone-based optical detection facilitated the determination of ERT-B in the 0.5–10 mg/L range, with a limit of detection of 0.04 mg/L. The developed method was successfully employed to determine ERT-B in food samples (juice, candy, and candied cherries) with good recovery values (82–97%).

Unlocking the Potential of Molecularly Imprinted Polydopamine in Sensing Applications

“…Recently, Elfadil et al have introduced a study for extracting and quantifying erythrosine B (ERT-B) in food samples [ 27 ]. The authors synthesized a composite material comprising MIPda coated onto magnetic nanoparticles (Fe 3 O 4 @PDA@MIP) through an environmentally friendly process ( Figure 5 ).…”

“… Schematic illustration of the application of magnetic MIPda as an adsorbent in SPE for optical detection of ERT. Permission granted from the corresponding author of reference [ 27 ] (MDPI). …”

“…These qualities collectively render it an appealing recognition element for sensor applications. Since its initial introduction, the utilization of dopamine as a monomer in MIP synthesis has gained extensive popularity [ 27 , 28 ]. MIPda has found diverse applications, ranging from environmental [ 29 ] and food [ 30 ] monitoring to clinical diagnostics [ 31 , 32 ], thereby showcasing their broad utility.…”

Using a Smartphone-Based Colorimetric Device with Molecularly Imprinted Polymer for the Quantification of Tartrazine in Soda Drinks

“…This work is the first to use MIP for colorimetric quantification of tartrazine using a smartphone. Other similar works have been reported to determine antibiotics, such as sulfamethoxazole [ 46 ], fungal toxins, such as aflatoxin B1 [ 47 ], and dyes, such as malachite green [ 48 ], basic red 9 [ 49 ], and Erythrosine B [ 50 ]. In our present work, MIP will be used for tartrazine determination in soda drinks through the application of color analysis.…”

Study on Molecularly Imprinted Polymers Obtained Sonochemically for the Determination of Aflatoxins in Food

“…Given their peculiar features, MIPs are considered smart and affordable materials for separation, owing to their thermochemical stability, low cost, reusability, and effectiveness even in complex matrices. For these reasons, MIPs have largely been used as adsorbent phases for SPE cartridges as well as being successfully used for different analytical applications [ 19 , 22 ].…”